PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – All Philadelphia City Council seats are up for grabs in next Tuesday’s general election, and one candidate finds himself the target of a critical campaign commercial that has been airing repeatedly on KYW Newsradio.

The candidate in question is David Oh, one of five Republicans vying for the two at-large seats on City Council reserved for the minority party. A political action committee called “Philadelphia Phuture” purchased air time for a 60-second commercial that criticizes Oh for an arrest on a guns charge in the 1990’s, and for mis-statements about his military service.

“Philadelphia Phuture” has long been affiliated with the electrician’s union Local 98 and its business leader, John Dougherty. The radio ad is notable because while it discourages residents from voting for Oh, it does not promote any of his four Republican at-large opponents.

Local 98 contributed $5,000 to one of those candidates, Joe McColgan. McColgan ran third in the May primary while Oh was first. The top two Republican candidates on Tuesday will win Council seats.

Oh, for his part, isn’t bothered.

“It doesn’t concern me. They’re doing their style of negative campaigning, and I will continue to run a positive, issue-oriented campaign.”

Dougherty’s spokesman, Frank Keel, said the labor leader declined to comment on the ads. McColgan could not be reached for comment.

The two incumbent GOP at-large council members are not running next Tuesday. Jack Kelly is retiring and Frank Rizzo lost in the May primary.

Reported by City Hall Bureau Chief Mike Dunn, KYW Newsradio

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One Comment

This campaign against David Oh epitomizes the struggle of the average joe against a poitical boss … David worked for a decade, raised his own money and put his life savings to pursuing a shot to help make his city better. The political boss takes his workers dues money, and uses it to try to make Dave lose and get his guys in … this smear campaign is at least $1,000,000 spent vs. David’d maybe $100,000. If we allow this to continue, we will have more of the same in Philadelphia. We must elect David to stop this cronie political system that is parasitic on the people of the city.

Why would the Demo ‘s, Local 98 give $5,000. to republican Joe McColgan’s campaign ?? And smear David Oh’s ? Perhaps it’s because McColgan will play ball with the Philly club !
Anybody who votes for McColgan is out of their mind, he can’t even get along with his own neighbors in the northeast. And besides Joe Dudda who his mommy works for is also on the line for reelection. Philly politics at it’s best or worst ???